Chief fire officer in the United Kingdom issues call for home fire sprinklers

Fire sprinklers can save lives and should be put in all new home construction, says Des Prichard, Chief Fire Officer of the East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service. According to a report in the Eastbourne Herald, Chief Prichard has given his full support to the National Fire Sprinkler Network which is appealing for fire sprinklers to be fitted in all new-build residential properties.

The National Fire Sprinkler Network is a non-profit organisation, which works in partnership with all of the UK’s Fire & Rescue Services along with local, national and European governments. Its objective is to stop unwanted and unnecessary deaths and injuries from fires in domestic properties by having automatic fire sprinkler protection systems installed in all new-build properties.

In Wales, legislation requiring the inclusion of domestic sprinkler systems in all new-build residential properties was passed unanimously and received Royal Assent in April 2011. Now, the National Fire Sprinkler Network wants this extended to England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Mr Prichard said, “Fire does not discriminate. It can happen to anyone at any time and has a devastating effect on families and communities.